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How to Fold Fraction Bars

Fractions can be a difficult topic for elementary school students to master. They are not as readily apparent or used in daily life as much as whole numbers are. A useful tool for teaching fractions is fraction bars or fraction strips. These are strips of paper that are folded to represent fractional quantities. Students can fold their own fraction bars to get an understanding of what part of the whole different fractions make.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut 1 inch width strips of paper. The strips can be of any length as long as the strips are all of the same length.

    • 2

      Write "1/1" on the first strip. This strip is not folded.

    • 3

      Fold the second strip in half widthwise. Write "1/2" on this strip.

    • 4

      Fold the third strip into thirds. Bring both ends of the strip inward and overlapping them until three equal parts are laying on top of each other. Write "1/3" on this strip.

    • 5

      Fold the fourth strip in half. Fold it in half again. Write "1/4" on this strip.

    • 6

      Measure the length of the fifth strip. Divide the length by 5. Use a pencil to mark four lines to create five equidistant lengths along the strip. Make folds at each of the marks. Write "1/5" on this strip. Continue this process until the desired number of fraction bars are created.

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